During the International Sanicole Airshow weekend of 13 & 14 September at Hechtel-Eksel, you do not want to miss an evocative demonstration of one of the NH-90s key mission types by the Belgian Air Force.
No modern air force can operate without the versatility and flexibility offered by state-of-the-art helicopters. Belgium has both NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) and TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) variants of the NH-90 in its inventory, which are used for various missions, including search and rescue (SAR), troop transport, medical evacuation, and anti-submarine warfare.
During the International Sanicole Airshow, the airforce will present its NH-90NFH variant in the flying display performing a simulated search-and rescue mission. It is a well-known sight at the Belgian coast as the helicopters, based with 40 squadron at Coxyde, perform regular search and rescue missions.
The NH-90 NFH is designed for naval operations and can perform anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions. They are also used aboard Belgian and Dutch frigates during international operations where their sensors extend the capabilities of the frigate and they also provide additional fire support to operations. One example of this are escort missions in the Red Sea in response to the threat posed by Houthi to international shipping operations. Its advanced capabilities, such as its fly-by-wire controls, state-of-the-art avionics, and versatility, make it a valuable asset for Belgium's defence capabilities.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the four NH-90NFH of the Belgian air force will remain at Coxyde to continue the proud SAR-tradition of the base. Later this year, the procedure will commence to find a suitable successor. This means that in a few years, the Belgian NH-90NFH will only operate from frigates for anti-submarine warfare and other support missions.
Make sure you don't miss this evocative demonstration over the Sanicole airfield during the International Sanicole Airshow 2025.
